Columns, Monthly Musings

January Joy

Share article

SHELBURNE – The third candle in Advent wreaths is pink, not purple like the other three. Pink is traditionally associated with joy and celebration. After the anticipation of celebrating joy last month, I was unexpectedly without Internet service and connection with friends and family for two and a half days over Christmas. I am looking for joy in January.

A friend started me on my path to joy when she sent me the following poem by Jan Richardson from her book, “Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.”

Blessed Are You Who Bear the Light

Blessed are you

who bear the light

in unbearable times,

who testify

to its endurance

amid the unendurable,

who bear witness

to its persistence

when everything seems

in shadow

and grief.

Blessed are you

in whom

the light lives,

in whom

the brightness blazes –

your heart

a chapel,

an altar where

in the deepest night

can be seen

the fire that

shines forth in you

in unaccountable faith,

in stubborn hope,

in love that illumines

every broken thing

it finds.

The best medical prescription I have received so far was “Get a minimum of five minutes of joy a day.” Poems are perfect. Visits and hugs from friends are a special treat. Connecting friends who do important work in the world is exhilarating. You are my feet on the ground out in the world. Thank you!

Reading a good book with my feet up can soothe my body, mind, and spirit.    A tiny piece of gluten and dairy-free dark chocolate with crystalized ginger with lunch lingers long enough to bring me joy without keeping me awake at night. A good night’s sleep and sweet dreams are reason to celebrate.

Stubborn hope depends on finding joy in daily life, amidst all the broken and the breaking news of the day. My financial advisor got a letter from the Grinch in his stocking. May his heart grow at least three sizes. It is, after all, love that illumines every broken thing as well as every potential joy.

It brings me great joy to hear from people who read these columns. Special kudos for those of you who reply with poems: extra credit if you write them yourself!

The most joyful being I have ever known was my dear doggy, Spencer. His portrait hangs over my desk. A yellow lab, he learned as a puppy that our UPS driver, Marge, carried dog treats in her uniform’s breast pocket.    He decided that all women do that and jumped for joy when women came to visit and leaned over to pat his head. Even his notes of apology were joyful.

May you mindfully jump for joy this January!

Trish Passmore Alley holds an MBA in Organizational Development and Behavior. A published author and poet, her career has included teaching at the collegiate level, owning several small businesses in manufacturing, engineering, and retail, and founding and operating three social profits in Greensboro, A published author and poet, she posts brief, monthly blogs at  gracefulmischief.com/. When her column refers to Grace, it is a presence in her life, and it is capitalized. She now lives in Shelburne.

Trish Passmore Alley holds an MBA in Organizational Development and Behavior. A published author and poet, her career has included teaching at the collegiate level, owning several small businesses in manufacturing, engineering, and retail, and founding and operating three social profits in Greensboro, A published author and poet, she posts brief, monthly blogs at gracefulmischief.com/
When her column refers to Grace, it is a presence in her life, and it is capitalized. She now lives in Shelburne.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*


Advertising

The Hardwick Gazette

Newsroom: 82 Craftsbury Road Greensboro, Vt.

Hours: Mon. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tues 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wed. 9 to 11 a.m., Fri. 8 a.m. to noon

Tel: (802) 472-6521

Newsroom email: [email protected]
Advertising email: [email protected]

Send mail to: The Hardwick Gazette, P.O. Box 9, Hardwick, VT 05843

EDITOR
Paul Fixx

ADVERTISING
Sandy Atkins, Raymonda Parchment, Dawn Gustafson, Paul Fixx

CIRCULATION
Dawn Gustafson

PRODUCTION
Sandy Atkins, Dawn Gustafson, Dave Mitchell, Raymonda Parchment

REPORTER
Raymonda Parchment

SPORTS WRITERS
Ken Brown
Eric Hanson

WEATHER REPORTER
Tyler Molleur

PHOTOGRAPHER
Vanessa Fournier

CARTOONIST
Julie Atwood

CONTRIBUTORS
Trish Alley, Sandy Atkins, Brendan Buckley, Elizabeth Dow, Hal Gray, Abrah Griggs, Henry Homeyer, Pat Hussey, Willem Lange, Cheryl Luther Michaels, Tyler Molleur, Kay Spaulding, Liz Steel, John Walters

INTERNS
Megan Cane, Brigitte Offord